With one year closing down and another one opening up, my thoughts are, “OK, Lord, what do I need to focus on for this up-coming year?” The first thing I think of is that I am thankful I am able to sit here and type on this keyboard. I’ve been pecking these articles out since 2012, so I am embarking on year fourteen of producing weekly articles. My plan is to keep sharing the goodness of God as long I can. To do that, I’ve got to have a body that cooperates with the task at hand. So, I figure as time creeps (or races) along, I might need to increase measures to ensure the ability can continue. I am aware that what we say has an impact on our life. And, I am aware that what we say comes from an attitude of heart. So, I also figure that if God first spoke in order to get some things moving, and shaking and coming together, and we are made in the image of God, then I need to first make sure what I say is in line with the good promises of the Word. I do know that Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Ok. So, I don’t need to be talking trash over my body. I need to say good things, like “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Yeah, and I have already found out, the more you hurt, the more that needs to come out your mouth. And another one is “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary” (Isaiah 50:4). But I also realize it doesn’t stop there. I gotta keep this body moving. Another goal is to keep the exercises up that I do, and increase it some. Keep mobilating (Webster hasn’t discovered that word yet). That’s goal number two. And for three, make those choices more often for putting the higher-octane fuel in the engine. It runs better on good fuel. I know by experience about too much sugar and too large of portions. For that, I might increase the confession, “who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” And oh yes, in that Psalm, we need to always be applying the spiritual promises we have there: He forgives all our iniquities, He heals all our diseases, He redeems our life from destruction, and He crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies (Psalms 103:1-5). I think if I can keep on track with all that, which is all in the Lord Jesus Christ, I’ll be doing pretty good. So overall, I think I will make my New Year’s goal to be one thing—focus on and follow the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.